Any issue changing over to aluminum ATI balancer?

[fairlaniac]

I have a Professional Products balancer on my 427. I've come across an ATI SFI aluminum hub balancer? Any issue doing a straight swap?

Thanks,

[jayb]

I think the only issue might be the location of the timing marks on the balancer; I'd compare the two and adjust the timing pointer if there were any differences.  Otherwise, it's pretty much a straight swap.

[fairlaniac]

Thanks Jay!

[fairlaniac]

I think the only issue might be the location of the timing marks on the balancer; I'd compare the two and adjust the timing pointer if there were any differences.  Otherwise, it's pretty much a straight swap.

Jay, well you hit it. The timing marks are off. Comparing it to a few other balancers I have, the timing marks are about 20 degrees off. So what adjustments must I make? I have the 427 screw into the timing cover pointer on with my Professional Products balancer. This is a new area for me so I'm not sure of the easiest way to get a pointer lined up?

Also, the pulley bolt pattern is different, it's a larger B.C. Is this common with non-OEM balancers?





Thanks,

[wowens]

Why do you want to change it ?
Any advantage to the aluminum balancer ?

[fairlaniac]

Why do you want to change it ?
Any advantage to the aluminum balancer ?

When I built my 427 last year all I had was a cheapo Professional Products damper. I came across this one for a decent price. I wanted an SFI rated balancer. The hub just happened to be aluminum.

FYI to all. I found a number of answers about the ATI damper when searching old posts. Thanks!

Thanks,

[blykins]

It should be 7 deg off.  They all are.

[turbohunter]

If only someone made an adjustable pointer.

[jayb]

Doug, my guess is that the bolt circle is the same as a big block Chev, which is also what you find on the FE balancers purchased from ATI.  If you drill the holes in your pulleys out to 7/16", they will bolt on to the larger bolt circle.

As far as the timing pointer goes, I usually fabricate my own from a piece of angle aluminum.  Just get it bolted on to the timing cover so that it overhangs onto the balancer, mark where zero is on the balancer, and cut the aluminum to a point right there.  I'm sure there are many other ways to do it...

[fairlaniac]

It should be 7 deg off.  They all are.

I just eyeballed it.

[blykins]

If only someone made an adjustable pointer.

You mean like this?  Hmmm, I wonder.............

[fairlaniac]

If only someone made an adjustable pointer.

You mean like this?  Hmmm, I wonder.............

That looks simple enough - Thanks!

[Dumpling]

I have an old PSE aluminum "balancer", red.
Once upon a time I asked the old Net54 forum oracles whether I should consider using it, and got a resounding NO!

[TomP]

I used an aluminum hub ATI, no issues. An FE pulley just needed the three holes slotted. I just trimmed one side off an original timing pointer.

[Rory428]

Like Tom said, 2 minutes with a round file will elongate the crank pulley bolt holes enough to fit the ATI damper, no concern about the pulley being out of round by doing so, as it registers on the stepped flange on the dampers hub. For the timing pointer, I just took the factory pointer to the bench grinder, and removed enough material to make a new point at the appropriate position.